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William Butler Jr.
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Bill Butler was shot and killed while assisting another deputy with a traffic stop near the intersection of Beecher and Lamb Road in Jefferson Township around 2:30 p.m.
The driver had warrants out for his arrest and did not cooperate with the deputies. During the struggle, the subject pulled out a gun, striking Deputy Butler before fleeing on foot.
Deputy Butler was transported to the hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.
The subject was found about two miles away several hours later. When he fired on troopers, they returned fire, killing the subject.
Deputy Butler was a United States Army National Guard Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran and had served with the Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office for 12 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, five children, parents, sister, and two grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtp7venkd9ejdkn10bf6p- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. William is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Butler gave the Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hillsdale community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
William Butler Jr. served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 415 officers killed feloniously in MI, 59% of the 703 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
William is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2024, 3 officers in MI were killed feloniously, the 41st heaviest of 124 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 14.
In 2024, 68 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 105th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2024, 68 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 114th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 51. Of the 400 killed feloniously in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 42; the middle age was 35. William had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
William was 51. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. William had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 51. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 7.2% of these deaths in MI; December holds the most, 12.3%. Thursdays: 15.2%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 4 deaths at Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 703 deaths in MI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 5.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Military Service
William Butler Jr. served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit William Butler Jr.’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
